Bizzarely-Named Foods: These Sicilian Cookies

Normally, I avoid posting two food pictures in succession, but I wanted to thank journalist Sharon McDonnell for including me in her latest story for Fodor’s Travel about bizarrely-named foods! (Thank you!) When McDonnell asked for such examples, these biscotti immediately came to mind. Called Lingua di Suocera, or Mother-Law’s Tongue, perhaps this pastry gets…

I Can’t Figgettabout Buccellato

These beautifully sculpted cookies are called buccellato (single pastry/cookie) or buccellati (plural). Buccellati are very closely associated with Christmas in Sicily. They are pastries stuffed with dried figs and raisins or chopped almonds and chocolate. These pictured, from Maria Grammatico Pasticceria in Erice, are of the fig variety. I don’t know Maria Grammatico’s recipe exactly,…

Oh, Bring Us Some Buccellato

During the month of December, especially in the mountain town of Caccamo in the province of Palermo, professional and home bakers prepare buccellato and other confections in celebration of Christmas. Buccellato is realized as a wreath-shaped cake or as pastries stuffed with dried figs and raisins or chopped almonds and chocolate. These buccellati pictured contain…